The rectangle shaped women need the right styles of dresses that can flatter the naturally straight up and down body shape. Since different types of dresses create different silhouettes, some will look better on you than others. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to find the most suitable dresses for your unique body shape.
Traits
- You’ve got strong, athletic features – One of your figure’s best assets would be your athletic frame which is capable of gaining well-toned muscle mass.
- You may look straight up and down – Your shoulders, waist, and hips are nearly similar in size and width, hence the “rectangle” body shape label.
- You gain your weight evenly all over the body – The excess weight you gain is barely noticeable because it gets distributed evenly all over your body.
- You have very little waist definition – One of your figure’s weaknesses is the fact that the supposed waist indentation you have looks straight because the width of your waist and hips are almost the same.
- Unfortunately, you may also have flat buttocks – This is also because of your angular frame in which you don’t really gain volume in specific areas of your body.
- Your arms and legs are naturally toned and slender – You don’t carry a significant amount of weight in your limbs so they look more toned and balanced with each other.
- Your bust size may vary from small to big – This can vary from one individual to another so the misconception about rectangle shapes being flat-chested is well… purely a misconception.
Puff Sleeve Dresses
Because of the fact that your shoulders are symmetrical in width with your waist and hips, you tend to look visually monotonous and flat. Puff sleeves can fix that by adding width to your upper body and therefore breaking the sameness in your rectangle frame.
Puff sleeves work in a way that they add volume to the shoulders, resulting in a more prominent and sloped shoulder line. This volume boost on the shoulders also makes the waist appear smaller by comparison, creating the illusion of an hourglass figure.
Additionally, the volume and detail of puff sleeves effectively draw the eyes upward and this can shift the focus away from the shapelessness of your midsection. This can be particularly helpful if you want to divert attention from your undefined waistline.
Deep V-Neck Dresses
V-necklines are effortlessly flattering for many types of body shapes – including rectangle figures! Having a V-shaped neckline plunge deeper can make it more eye-catching and so it draws attention to the center of the body to create the illusion of a more defined waist while also breaking up the straighter lines you have in your frame.
This is also a great opportunity to showcase your decolletage, which can also be one of your best features. In addition to this, a deep V-neck can flatter both smaller and larger bust sizes (which is a varying trait of rectangle shapes) without overwhelming the chest area.
Dresses with Bell Sleeves
As someone who lacks curves and visual depth, adding interesting details to your dresses can be very helpful in bringing your figure more depth. Bell sleeves can be this particularly interesting detail that can introduce an element of visual depth and movement to your outfit.
The flared “bell” shape by the cuff of the sleeves draws attention away from the straighter and more angular lines of your figure. This interesting sleeve detail brings a dynamic and playful touch to your rather monotonous-looking frame.
They can also help balance out your silhouette by adding volume and detail to the sleeves. This effectively creates a visual contrast to your midsection, which results in the illusion of a more defined waist.
Structured X-Line Dresses
The structured nature of X-Line dresses can instantly give your ensemble a more polished and tailored appearance because of how they are able to hold the desired shape of your silhouette. Apart from its visually appealing effect, your rectangle body shape is also going to love how it works around your figure’s weaknesses and brings you a curvier shape.
Structured X-Line dresses are designed with a fitted bodice that gently flares out from the waist and this silhouette effectively detracts the gaze from seeing your naturally straight-looking figure. The fitted bodice of a structured X-line dress can create the illusion of a more defined waist by cinching in at the waist.
Additionally, the flared skirt of an X-line dress can add volume to the lower half of the body, which is deemed less pronounced in rectangle shapes. This will produce a pleasing contrast with the narrower upper body for you to achieve a well-proportioned and visually appealing figure.
Flowy A-Line Dresses
Flowy fabrics and the A-Line silhouette are like a match made in heaven for women with rectangle body shapes because of how this combination effortlessly enhances your angular figure. The A-line silhouette features a fitted bodice that gradually flares out from the waist, resulting in a harmonious balance that brings more dimension to straighter-looking frames.
The specific elements of this dress style strategically impart the illusion of curves by gently accentuating the waist and adding volume to your potentially flat-looking lower body. In addition to these style benefits, A-Line dresses also cinch at the waist and this particular cinching and flare combination expertly mimics the proportions of an hourglass figure, giving you the appearance of a more contoured figure.
Wrap Style Dresses
Based on my styling experience, I really have to say that wearing wrap dresses is almost a foolproof fashion choice. Its silhouette, design, and details just tick all the boxes when it comes to flattering body proportions; including the angular figure of rectangle-shaped beauties out there!
The defining details of a wrap dress are the adjustable, cross-over front that can be tied at the waist, the V-neckline, and the slightly flared skirt. The adjustable, self-tie waist belt can be especially helpful in terms of making your waistline look more curved and defined.
As a well-fitted wrap dress cinches the waist, it creates a domino effect in which you can achieve more feminine curves by giving the illusion of a smaller waist and fuller hips. Moreover, the V-neckline that is common in many wrap dresses also leads the focus upwards towards the neck and chest area to highlight your beautiful decolletage and elongate your neck.
Color-Blocking Dresses
Color-blocking dresses can be a strategic choice for you because of how they can visually tweak your figure with the right use of contrasting colors. By placing darker or contrasting colors at the sides of your waist, you are creating the visual effect of a narrower waist, which can significantly add definition to your figure.
Color-blocking can also incorporate vertical and curvy lines that create the illusion of length and motion Vertical lines can help elongate your frame, while curvy lines can add a dynamic and playful touch, both of which can contribute to neutralizing your rectangular figure and achieve a more shapely appearance.
Dresses with Interesting Prints
Prints effectively promote visual texture and detail to an outfit and this can help divert attention from the straighter lines that rectangle body shapes have. The intricate patterns can gently create a dynamic and engaging focal point, which effectively breaks up the monotony of your more linear frame.
In addition to this, interesting prints such as geometrical shapes, waves, or floral details can have the power to create the illusion of dimension and depth. The interplay of different shapes, colors, and patterns can trick the eye into perceiving more curves and angles to sculpt your figure strategically to achieve more curves!
Tailored Peplum Dresses
Peplum dresses feature a silhouette that can instantly give your frame the illusion of voluptuous curves. Its fitted bodice, cinched waist, and flared overskirt are three of the key styling factors that can really level up the contours of your rectangle-shaped body.
The flare of the peplum will significantly add width and curves to the lower part of your body, which is one area where there’s a lack of structure and volume. This effectively balances out the proportions for your narrower hips and therefore creates a more hourglass-like silhouette.
Additionally, the tailored fit of peplum dresses usually emphasizes the waist. This subtly shifts attention away from your straight-looking midsection and creates a focal point instead, to add interest and dimension to your overall look.
Linen Sheath Dresses
Not to be confused with the straight silhouette of shift dresses, but sheath dresses are different in a way that they actually feature neat seams and darts that provide shape to your figure. Sheath dresses are known for their clean and simple lines and their minimalist design helps bring attention to the natural proportions of the body without overwhelming or adding unnecessary bulk.
Even though your rectangle body shape has a straighter silhouette, there is still definitely a waistline to highlight! The beauty of the sheath dress is its close fit that helps accentuate your waist with the help of minimal details, making your silhouette look more naturally curvy and dimensional.
The straight lines of a sheath dress can also give you a longer and leaner look. The seams and darts that are strategically placed at the waist area, are also very helpful in giving your angular shape a more shapely and feminine silhouette.
Dresses with Asymmetrical Hemlines
With the unique touch and flair of asymmetrical hemlines, it’s easy to grab one’s attention to your lower leg – away from the monotony of having a straight and angular frame. The asymmetrical hemline can bring a lot of benefits to the table as this draws attention to different parts of the body to break up the straight and boxy lines in your rectangle shape.
Additionally, the irregular length of the hemline adds movement and flow to your dress, which can distract the vision from focusing on the harsh straight lines in your figure. As someone who has an athletic figure and wishes to incorporate femininity into her look, dresses with asymmetrical hemlines can add a touch of femininity and softness to your overall look.
Avoid Shapeless/Boxy Dresses
Wearing boxy or shapeless dresses is a major fashion faux-pas in a way that it won’t give you the shape and depth you’re looking for! Boxy dresses hang loose, so this alone is making you miss the opportunity of bringing shape to your waist.
A boxy dress won’t be able to highlight or enhance any specific features of the body. It doesn’t draw attention to the bust, waist, or hips, which means it misses an opportunity to fully enhance the natural beauty of the figure.
Avoid Bodycon Dresses
Rectangle body shapes may want to exercise some caution when it comes to choosing bodycon dresses. While it’s not a hard and fast rule, some do not see the clear disadvantage of wearing bodycon dresses when you have a rectangle body shape.
Bodycon dresses are designed to cling tightly and closely follow the contours of the body. Since you have relatively equal measurements for the bust, waist, and hips, a bodycon dress might not do much to enhance or create the illusion of curves.
Rectangle body shapes are characterized by straighter lines and fewer defined curves which can look monotonous up and down. The snug-fit bodycon dresses can sometimes highlight this straighter silhouette rather than adding curves where you might want them to be present.
Avoid square-neck dresses
As a rectangle-shaped woman, the last thing you’d ever want is to add more straight lines to your silhouette! Square necklines can create a more angular and structured look at the top half of your body and this may not enhance or add curves to your figure.